ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of Peiyuan Shengjin Tongqiao Decoction, a Chinese herbal recipe with the actions of supplementing kidney to strengthen lung and dredging orifices , on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms and lung function of childhood asthma complicated with allergic rhinitis. Methods Fifty-five childhood asthma complicated with allergic rhinitis were randomized into treatment group(N=28) and control group (N = 27). The two groups were treated with Budesonide and Formoterol Fumarate Powder for Inhalation, and the treatment group was given oral use of Peiyuan Shengjin Tongqiao Decoction additionally. After treatment, the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated, and TCM symptom scores and lung function indexes [ the percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first second to the expected value (FEV1％) and the percentage of peak expiratory flow to the expected value (PEF％) ] were also observed before and after treatment. Results (1)After treatment for 3 months, the total effective rate of the treatment group was 92.86％, being superior to that of the control group (81.48％), and the difference was significant (P<0.01). (2) After treatment, the scores of cough plus asthma, rhinitis symptom scores and overall TCM symptom scores of the two groups were decreased (P < 0.01 compared with those before treatment) , and the rhinitis symptom scores and overall TCM symptom scores of the treatment group were lower than those of the control group (P < 0.01). (3) After treatment, PEF％ and FEV1％ were both improved in the two groups (P < 0.05 compared with those before treatment) , and the improvement in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group (P <0.05). Conclusion Peiyuan Shengjin Tongqiao Decoction is effective for the control of childhood asthmacomplicated with allergic rhinitis by improving rhinitis symptom scores, overall TCM symptom scores and lung function.
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Objective To investigate the effects of simvastatin on the production of interleukin (IL)-17and B-cell activating transcription factor (BATF) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy individuals.Methods PBMCs were isolated from heparinized blood of healthy donors or RA patients using Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation.The cells were stimulated by PMA and ionomycin in the absence or presence of simvastatin or MVA at 37 ℃ 5％CO2.The mRAN level of IL-17,BATF and GAPDH was detected by RT-PCR; the protein level of IL-17 in supernatants was assayed by ELISA kit; and the protein level of BATF was detected by Western Blotting.The comparison between the two groups was carried out by paired-t test and Chi-square test was used for muhi-group comparison.Results PBMCs of healthy donors [(69.2±12.2) vs (8.1±2.2) pg/ml,P＜0.05; (76.6±14.7) vs (10.2±7.2) pg/ml,P＜0.05] and RA patients [(79.6±12.7) vs (15.8±5.8) pg/ml,P＜0.05; (90.3±9.7) vs (12.9±7.9) pg/ml,P＜0.05] were stimulated with PMA and ionomycin to produce high levels of IL-17.After treatment with simvastatin,the expression and secretion level of IL-17 in healthy controls and RA PBMCs were markedly decreased.The inhibition of simvastatin on the production of IL-17 was reversed by mevalonic acid (MVA),but no significant changes of BATF after treating with simvastatin.Conclusion Simvastatin inhibits the production of IL-17 in the PBMCs at gene and protein levels,which is not targeted at suppressing the expression of IL-17 transcription factor BATF.
ABSTRACT
Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a homotrimeric protein encoded within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). TNF-α can bind its receptors in the body to play a role in immune regulation and to participate in the various pathophysiology processes including fever, inflammation, infection, wound healing and tumors necrosis. TNF-α, an important component of inflammatory pathways, is up-regulated in the synovial tissue, synovial fluid and serum of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. In RA patients, TNF-α along with many kinds of tissue factors and matrix proteins together promotes the inflammatory response, abnormal apoptosis of synovial cells, pannus formation and cartilage and bone destruction, which maintain the sustainability of the progress of RA. Thus, TNF-α may be a clinical indicator of RA activity as well as an effective target for RA.
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Objective To investigate the effect of different concentrations of methotrexate (MTX) on IL-17 from peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) and To clarify the active mechanisms of MTX on RA. Methods PBMCs were isolated from heparinized blood of healthy donors or patients with RA using Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation. The cells were pretreated with various concentrations of MTX and then stimulated by anti-human CD3/anti-human CD28 at 37℃5%CO2. The IL-17 mRAN level was detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The supernatants were harvested and the protein level of IL-17 was tested by ELISA kit. The percentage of CD4+IL-17+cells in PBMCs was detected by flow cytometry. Results For the four different concentrations of MTX groups (0.1,1.0, 5, 25μg/ml), the IL-17 mRNA/GAPDH ratio(0.58±0.09,0.48±0.11, 0.50±0.09, 0.51±0.14) were lower than those of the non-drug group(0.76±0.08). Paired-t test or independent-samplet test showed significant difference between the MTX treatment group and the non-drug group(P＜0.01). The level of IL-17 of the four MTX groups was(121±54)pg/ml and(104±45)pg/ml and(90±36)pg/ml and(115±41)pg/ml, which was lower than the non-drug group(370±187)pg/ml(P＜0.01). The average C D4+IL-17+cell ratio was reduced, but had no statistically signficant differences(P＞0.05). Conclusion MTX can decrease Th17 cells differentiation and suppress IL-17 production of PBMCs, but no association can be found between its effect on the expression of IL-17 and the concentration of MTX.
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Objective To study the clinical application of finger reconstruction by transplantation of two second toes and evaluate the postoperative appearance and function regarding the reconstructed hand and donor feet. Methods Defect of fingers were treated by transplantation and reconstruction with a total of 74 cases,including two second toes transplantation for both thumbs in 2 cases,thumb with index finger in 10 cas es, index finger with middle finger in 8 cases and middle finger with ring finger in 17 cases. Results Sevetythree fingers survived except 1 failed. During the follow up examination made from 3 to 36 months, the reconstructed fingers could move, write and dress with ease, pinch forcefully, show good recovery of manual work and the sensation of pain and warmth. Two-point discrimination found to be between 5 to 10 mm. Both donor feet have symmetrical appearance with normal gait and satisfactory motion. Also, no pain was complained.Conclusion Transplantation of two second toes from both feet is a good method to reconstruct defect of multiple fingers, and has little effect on the appearance and motion of feet.